Posted by Magnus Hird on January 5, 2009 at 7:07 PM
... by moving further away!
The kingfisher work took a step forwards today, so thanks to all those that commented on the last shot - it helped my motivation getting out early again this morning. I thought I may have missed the opportunity when this guy flew under the bridge just moments after I turned up, but by picking a position a bit further back than I had been on the other occasions it seems to have paid off - this is from the first minute it has spent on the top of the rush in all the time I've been there, but its been worth waiting for
The plan now, weather permitting, will be to see if I can get closer and remember to put the 1.4x on the lens to avoid having to crop so heavily
40D + 120-300 @ 300mm, f5.6 at ISO 800 for 1/1600
Tripod and camouflage net
About 50% crop from original, blurred an OOF reed stem in the background, cloned a very small stem from the right bottom corner
Hi Magnus,
Looks like your determination and patience is starting to pay off.
A really nice shot and definately a step closer to your final goal.
I've found them pretty tollerant birds with regards to hide placement.
Best bet is to set your hide up just after it gets dark so it doesn't get wrecked or stolen by any passers by and then get in it before dawn.
I've always found Kingfisher's to be very early risers and have found them on the perch before it's even got properly light. So best to get set-up in your hide a fair bit before dawn.
With any luck you'll have your shots and be packing up before the first dog walker/fisherman has arrived
Look forward to seeing more as the project progresses.
Posted by Brett Lewis on January 5, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Nice work Magnus. I like the bird in it's environment and the way you have separated the bird and stem from the rest of the reed bed works very well. I look forward to to seeing the results from your ongoing project. Keep up the great work..
I'm watching your progress with interest Magnus, I've always wanted a go at photographing kingfishers but have never managed to find a nearby location where they are regulars attenders. This is a nice shot in its own right but I'm looking forward to seeing more. Good luck with the pre-dawn starts
Matt
Posted by Nigel Blake on January 6, 2009 at 3:31 AM
Very nice image, one suggestion for the project I think a version of this with the water included in the background would be equal to a close up for me, would that be possible on this site?
Just a thought.
Well done
Ian Hay
Posted by Jeroen Stel on January 6, 2009 at 9:51 AM
Lovely Kingfisher shot with a great setting!
Well done!
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Posted by Fran French on January 6, 2009 at 12:29 PM
A lovely image and a good environmental shot. All comes to those who wait
I think you might be getting a small problem, namely as you get closer your shooting angle is going to become more acute.
Might I suggest, that you think about how to lower the Bullrush.
Find another Bullrush and cut it down and play around, either sticking a stick up the centre and taping the bottom of the rush to the stick, or tying the rush to the side of the stick using either tie wraps or tape to hold it in position. If you use the latter, then try and get a length of “Dexion”, the reason is that is folded along its length, and won’t allow the Bullrush to twist, when it is pushed into the rivers bottom..
Another problem you will get in time, is seed dispersal, try spraying the Bullriush with MATT varnish, that should do the trick.
I suspect that you are now thinking that all this will frighten the K’fisher away. Yes it could, if you didn’t do something about it.
What you do is, create a feeding station for the K’fisher.
Oh yes, by the way, a very nice shot, you are definitely getting there.
Be careful tho’ that you don’t end up with the Bullrush, becoming the dominant element in the final image.
Posted by Colin Pickett on January 6, 2009 at 5:27 PM
I really like this type of image Magnus, just goes to prove you don't have to have full frame portraits it works well.
Great work
Posted by Lea Roberts on January 6, 2009 at 5:39 PM
nice shot, i am also waiting to see how you get on in the future with this bird
Posted by Magnus Hird on January 6, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Thank you once again for all the kind comments and helpful suggestions, much appreciated.
Going to have to work on the early starts I feel! Was -3 here today at 10am on my way to work, if it keeps this up I'm going to need more layers
Brett: I have a choice of perches to try and catch this guy on - he has four positions along a 40 yard stretch of dyke that I can access. Unfortunately one is a concrete wall and another in a tree that is in shade for most of the day (previous post). The third is a group of low, broken reeds but the background is dense reeds and only inches behind so impossible to get a nice diffuse effect. I liked this one the best of the four for the BG potential and the 'classic' nature of it.
Ian: I can't get water in the shot on this perch without shooting from above, which means being 20-30 yards away on an embankment. However you have given me some ideas for the other usable perch - I'll have to look at angles when I'm down there next as the water is shaded and very slow flowing so might make for a nice reflection.
Ray: The shooting angle won't be a problem - the reed head is at eye level when I'm sat on a little stool on the opposite bank. I'm just very lucky that it has isolated itself very well above the rest of the reeds. Seed dispersal may not be an issue either as this guy won't be around for too long - just a winter visitor to this area and as the weather warms up and the adjacent lake defrosts he'll have so many choices to fish from that sightings will become much rarer. Can't be spraying the thing even if this was necessary - its on a nature reserve / SSSI and to be honest I wouldn't be happy doing so anyway. You are right though, with more close up portraits the reed could start to dominate, will watch for that.
Thanks again and will post any more I get
Posted by John Robinson on January 6, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Hi Magnus Looking good.
Keep at it !
Not sure what Ray means - "What you do is, create a feeding station for the K’fisher. " ?
Cheers
#John
Apologise, I hadn’t realised that you were on a nature reserve, that severely restricts your options, even to the point of putting up a hide, be it overnight.
If you do find its summer territory, let me know the situation, and I might be able to help.
Discussion
17 repliesThe kingfisher work took a step forwards today, so thanks to all those that commented on the last shot - it helped my motivation getting out early again this morning. I thought I may have missed the opportunity when this guy flew under the bridge just moments after I turned up, but by picking a position a bit further back than I had been on the other occasions it seems to have paid off - this is from the first minute it has spent on the top of the rush in all the time I've been there, but its been worth waiting for
The plan now, weather permitting, will be to see if I can get closer and remember to put the 1.4x on the lens to avoid having to crop so heavily
40D + 120-300 @ 300mm, f5.6 at ISO 800 for 1/1600
Tripod and camouflage net
About 50% crop from original, blurred an OOF reed stem in the background, cloned a very small stem from the right bottom corner
As always any comments very welcome
Looks like your determination and patience is starting to pay off.
A really nice shot and definately a step closer to your final goal.
I've found them pretty tollerant birds with regards to hide placement.
Best bet is to set your hide up just after it gets dark so it doesn't get wrecked or stolen by any passers by and then get in it before dawn.
I've always found Kingfisher's to be very early risers and have found them on the perch before it's even got properly light. So best to get set-up in your hide a fair bit before dawn.
With any luck you'll have your shots and be packing up before the first dog walker/fisherman has arrived
Look forward to seeing more as the project progresses.
Brett
Matt
Great progress I need to emulate your MO its clearly working for you.
Barry
Eastbourne
David
Just a thought.
Well done
Ian Hay
Well done!
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Fran
I think you might be getting a small problem, namely as you get closer your shooting angle is going to become more acute.
Might I suggest, that you think about how to lower the Bullrush.
Find another Bullrush and cut it down and play around, either sticking a stick up the centre and taping the bottom of the rush to the stick, or tying the rush to the side of the stick using either tie wraps or tape to hold it in position. If you use the latter, then try and get a length of “Dexion”, the reason is that is folded along its length, and won’t allow the Bullrush to twist, when it is pushed into the rivers bottom..
Another problem you will get in time, is seed dispersal, try spraying the Bullriush with MATT varnish, that should do the trick.
I suspect that you are now thinking that all this will frighten the K’fisher away. Yes it could, if you didn’t do something about it.
What you do is, create a feeding station for the K’fisher.
Oh yes, by the way, a very nice shot, you are definitely getting there.
Be careful tho’ that you don’t end up with the Bullrush, becoming the dominant element in the final image.
Great work
Going to have to work on the early starts I feel! Was -3 here today at 10am on my way to work, if it keeps this up I'm going to need more layers
Brett: I have a choice of perches to try and catch this guy on - he has four positions along a 40 yard stretch of dyke that I can access. Unfortunately one is a concrete wall and another in a tree that is in shade for most of the day (previous post). The third is a group of low, broken reeds but the background is dense reeds and only inches behind so impossible to get a nice diffuse effect. I liked this one the best of the four for the BG potential and the 'classic' nature of it.
Ian: I can't get water in the shot on this perch without shooting from above, which means being 20-30 yards away on an embankment. However you have given me some ideas for the other usable perch - I'll have to look at angles when I'm down there next as the water is shaded and very slow flowing so might make for a nice reflection.
Ray: The shooting angle won't be a problem - the reed head is at eye level when I'm sat on a little stool on the opposite bank. I'm just very lucky that it has isolated itself very well above the rest of the reeds. Seed dispersal may not be an issue either as this guy won't be around for too long - just a winter visitor to this area and as the weather warms up and the adjacent lake defrosts he'll have so many choices to fish from that sightings will become much rarer. Can't be spraying the thing even if this was necessary - its on a nature reserve / SSSI and to be honest I wouldn't be happy doing so anyway. You are right though, with more close up portraits the reed could start to dominate, will watch for that.
Thanks again and will post any more I get
Keep at it !
Not sure what Ray means - "What you do is, create a feeding station for the K’fisher. " ?
Cheers
#John
Apologise, I hadn’t realised that you were on a nature reserve, that severely restricts your options, even to the point of putting up a hide, be it overnight.
If you do find its summer territory, let me know the situation, and I might be able to help.
Where there is a will, there’s invariably a way.